Anyone eveer used/heard of COENZYME Q10?

[Lifterforlife]

I'm a physician, and I take coenzyme Q-10. You shouldn't take it if you're getting chemotherapy because it can interfere with certain chemotherapeutic agents.

ANYBODY who is on a statin (Lipitor, Zocor, etc.) should be taking coenzyme Q-10. You should ask your physician about this. There have been reports of congestive heart failure induced by low levels of CoQ-10, which statins are known to do. They decrease CoQ-10 levels by an unknown mechanism.

I, too noticed an increase in energy when I started taking them.

It's difficult to get CoQ-10 from diet unless you eat solid organs such as liver.

A word of advice: make sure you take your CoQ-10 supplement with some sort of fat. It doesn't have to be a Big Mac, but at least take it with a meal that has a little fat in it. CoQ-10 requires fat to be absorbed. Some manufacturers package it with soy oil, but who knows if this works.

I take 50 mg daily. Some people cannot tolerate this because of GI upset. If you're on any medication, I would ask your physician about CoQ-10.

Thank you...wonderful post. So many folks think that they have to "feel" something. This is not necessary for good health. In fact, what you DON'T FEEL as a direct result of the supplement is more what folks should be thinking.

Geez, everyone is hung up on the bodybuilding aspect of some feeling from something. I am a bodybuilder also, have been for most of 30 yrs., competed numerous times, but my underlying factor in everything I do is anti aging and optimal health.

 

[mm107]

Thank you...wonderful post. So many folks think that they have to "feel" something. This is not necessary for good health. In fact, what you DON'T FEEL as a direct result of the supplement is more what folks should be thinking.

Geez, everyone is hung up on the bodybuilding aspect of some feeling from something. I am a bodybuilder also, have been for most of 30 yrs., competed numerous times, but my underlying factor in everything I do is anti aging and optimal health.

You must spread some Karma around before giving it to Lifterforlife again.

 

[*Bunny*]

You must spread some Karma around before giving it to Lifterforlife again.

No worries, I hit him.

 

[alex2678]

Curious what anyone thinks of this article regarding CoQ10. Any truth to this?:

Coenzyme Q10 in Pills Cannot Get Into Cells

By Gabe Mirkin, M.D. Platinum Quality Author

Reactions in your body produce chemicals called oxidants that damage cells and shorten life. To protect your cells from oxidant damage, your body produces antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase and coenzyme Q10. Since tissue levels of coenzyme Q10 drop with aging, it is tempting to think that reduced levels of this coenzyme cause aging. However, research shows that lowered levels are the result of aging rather than the cause because coenzyme Q10 is found in the mitochondria, the energy sources of cells. With aging, the number of mitochondria and size of cells become smaller, so everything in the mitochondria is reduced.

Furthermore, coenzyme Q10 has been found to be ineffective in treating diseases affecting the mitochondria. Since coenzyme Q10 is a source of energy, doctors thought that coenzyme Q10 supplements would increase endurance, but studies show that it does not. Years ago, a researcher at the University of Texas showed that people who have arteriosclerotic heart disease have lower blood levels of coenzyme Q10 than people who have normal hearts. People with damaged hearts have less functioning heart muscle, so they should have lower levels of coenzyme Q10.

For coenzyme Q10 to improve health and energy, it must get into the cells, particularly the mitochondria, where it functions. Studies show that coenzyme Q10 pills get into the bloodstream, but cannot be recovered in the cells. Therefore coenzyme Q10 pills cannot get into heart muscle and kidneys, so they cannot strengthen a failing heart.



Weston, S.B.; Zhou, S.; Weatherby, R.P.; Robson, S.J. Does exogenous coenzyme Q(10) affect aerobic capacity in endurance athletes? International Journal of Sport Nutrition. SEP 1997;7(3):197-206.

Porter DA et al. The effect of oral coenzyme Q10 on the exercise tolerance of middle-aged, untrained men. International Journal of Sports Medicine 1995(Oct);16(7):421-427.

Zhang Y et al. Uptake of dietary coenzyme Q supplement is limited in rats. J. Nutr. 1995(Mar);125(3):446-453.

Nutrition News POB 55279 Riverside, Cal 92517. 1987 volume X, number 8.

Y Birnbaum, SL Hale, RA Kloner. The effect of coenzyme Q(10) on infarct size in a rabbit model of ischemia/reperfusion. Cardiovascular Research 32: 5 (NOV 1996):861-868. Conclusions: Coenzyme Q(10), administered acutely either during or 60 min before myocardial ischemia, does not attenuate infarct size in the rabbit.

Mathews PM et al. Coenzyme Q10 with multiple vitamins is generally ineffective in treatment of mitochondrial disease. Neurology. 1993(May);43(5):884-890.

 

[Lifterforlife]

There were some poor forms of CoQ10 around, that were selling cheap and indeed did not deliver bioavability. As usual, quality is an issue.

There are tons of studies that show the benefits of supplemental Q10. If it were not able to get in the cells, none of these studies could be done.

Again, I am not touting it for bodybuilding needs. There are much more important needs in life as per my last post.

 

[mm107]

Im 19, im lookin from a health POV too, i dont really need it as of yet it looks like..

 

[Lifterforlife]

Another thing to understand is folks are looking for effects from acute useage, when in reality most effects are from chronic useage(as with many supplements). Another indication of the "fast food world" we live in these days...I want results today!

 

[guest username]

Curious what anyone thinks of this article regarding CoQ10. Any truth to this?:

Coenzyme Q10 in Pills Cannot Get Into Cells

By Gabe Mirkin, M.D. Platinum Quality Author

Reactions in your body produce chemicals called oxidants that damage cells and shorten life. To protect your cells from oxidant damage, your body produces antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase and coenzyme Q10. Since tissue levels of coenzyme Q10 drop with aging, it is tempting to think that reduced levels of this coenzyme cause aging. However, research shows that lowered levels are the result of aging rather than the cause because coenzyme Q10 is found in the mitochondria, the energy sources of cells. With aging, the number of mitochondria and size of cells become smaller, so everything in the mitochondria is reduced.

Furthermore, coenzyme Q10 has been found to be ineffective in treating diseases affecting the mitochondria. Since coenzyme Q10 is a source of energy, doctors thought that coenzyme Q10 supplements would increase endurance, but studies show that it does not. Years ago, a researcher at the University of Texas showed that people who have arteriosclerotic heart disease have lower blood levels of coenzyme Q10 than people who have normal hearts. People with damaged hearts have less functioning heart muscle, so they should have lower levels of coenzyme Q10.

For coenzyme Q10 to improve health and energy, it must get into the cells, particularly the mitochondria, where it functions. Studies show that coenzyme Q10 pills get into the bloodstream, but cannot be recovered in the cells. Therefore coenzyme Q10 pills cannot get into heart muscle and kidneys, so they cannot strengthen a failing heart.



Weston, S.B.; Zhou, S.; Weatherby, R.P.; Robson, S.J. Does exogenous coenzyme Q(10) affect aerobic capacity in endurance athletes? International Journal of Sport Nutrition. SEP 1997;7(3):197-206.

Porter DA et al. The effect of oral coenzyme Q10 on the exercise tolerance of middle-aged, untrained men. International Journal of Sports Medicine 1995(Oct);16(7):421-427.

Zhang Y et al. Uptake of dietary coenzyme Q supplement is limited in rats. J. Nutr. 1995(Mar);125(3):446-453.

Nutrition News POB 55279 Riverside, Cal 92517. 1987 volume X, number 8.

Y Birnbaum, SL Hale, RA Kloner. The effect of coenzyme Q(10) on infarct size in a rabbit model of ischemia/reperfusion. Cardiovascular Research 32: 5 (NOV 1996):861-868. Conclusions: Coenzyme Q(10), administered acutely either during or 60 min before myocardial ischemia, does not attenuate infarct size in the rabbit.

Mathews PM et al. Coenzyme Q10 with multiple vitamins is generally ineffective in treatment of mitochondrial disease. Neurology. 1993(May);43(5):884-890.

Sacher, et al. The clinical and hemodynamic effects of coenzyme Q10 in congestive cardiomyopathy. Am J Ther, 4(2-3):66-72.

Despite major advances in treatment congestive heart failure (CHF) is still one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality. Coenzyme Q(10) is a naturally occurring substance that has antioxidant and membrane stabilizing properties. Administration of coenzyme Q(10) in conjunction with standard medical therapy has been reported to augment myocardial kinetics, increase cardiac output, elevate the ischemic threshold, and enhance functional capacity in patients with congestive heart failure. The aim of this study was to investigate some of these claims. Seventeen patients (mean New York Heart Association functional class 3.0 +/- 0.4) were enrolled in an open-label study. After 4 months of coenzyme Q ( 10 ) therapy, functional class improved 20% (3.0 +/- 0.4 to 2.4 +/- 0.6, p < 0.001) and there was a 27% improvement in mean CHF score (2.8 +/- 0.4 to 2.2 +/- 0.4, p < 0.001). Percent change in the resting variables included the following: left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), +34.8%; cardiac output, +15.7%; stroke volume index, +18.9%; end-diastolic volume area, -8.4%; systolic blood pressure (SBP), -4. 4%; and E (max), (SBP / end-systolic volume index [ESVI]) +11.7%. MVo ( 2 ) decreased by 5.3% (31.9 +/- 2.6 to 30.2 +/- 2.4, p = NS). Therapy with coenzyme Q(10) was associated with a mean 25.4% increase in exercise duration and a 14.3% increase in workload. Percent changes after therapy include the following: exercise LVEF, +24.6%; cardiac output, +19.1%; stroke volume index, +13.2%; heart rate, +6.5%; SBP, -4.3%; SBP / ESVI, +18.6%; end-diastolic volume (EDV) area, -6.0%; MVo (2), -7.0%; and ventricular compliance (%Delta SV / EDV) improved >100%. In summary, coenzyme Q(10) therapy is associated with significant functional, clinical, and hemodynamic improvements within the context of an extremely favorable benefit-to-risk ratio. Coenzyme Q(10) enhances cardiac output by exerting a positive inotropic effect upon the myocardium as well as mild vasodilatation.

There have been case reports of coenzyme Q-10 supplementation causing improvement of cardiac failure after statin-induced coenzyme Q-10 deficiency resulting in heart failure.

 

[Lifterforlife]

Another great post swatdoc....the medical establisment at this point knows all too well the importance of CoQ10. It has actually been suggested to add it to statin drugs, but this would shed them in a bad light at this point. Let on to the consumer that a supplement(which they make no money off of) can actually help.

 

[thelion2005]

Many people report a significant drop in tested cholesterol levels with
a simple addition of:
- bowl of oatmeal
- cinimmon
- walnuts
- Q10